Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about mental health, telehealth visits, insurance, and getting started — with sources for every statistic.
Questions about mental health
Very common. The National Institute of Mental Health(opens in a new tab) reports that nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness in a given year, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(opens in a new tab) estimates that about 1 in 6 children aged 6–17 has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. If something feels off, you are far from alone — and help is available.
These are well-studied conditions as well. NIMH estimates that roughly 8% of U.S. adults experience a major depressive episode in a given year, and about 2–3% live with bipolar disorder (NIMH statistics(opens in a new tab)). Both respond to evaluation and treatment, and neither should be managed alone.
Psychotherapy gives you a structured place to understand patterns, build skills, and make changes that hold up outside the session. Research summarized by the American Psychological Association(opens in a new tab) suggests that roughly 75–80% of people who enter psychotherapy benefit from it. For some conditions, combining therapy with medication improves results further.
Because symptoms that go unaddressed tend to layer on top of one another — missed work or school, strained relationships, sleep problems. Connecting with care early usually means simpler, shorter treatment than waiting until a crisis forces the issue.
We provide comprehensive, evidence-based psychiatric evaluations that assess symptoms, history, medical factors, and behavioral patterns. The goal is accurate, compassionate clarity — not labels. A well-supported diagnosis guides effective treatment, helps stabilize symptoms sooner, and gives you language for what you are experiencing and how to manage it.
Yes — many conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and trauma-related symptoms have genetic and environmental components (NIMH(opens in a new tab)). Family history does not determine your future. With early support, education, and individualized treatment, families can interrupt long-standing patterns of untreated symptoms, silence, and stigma.
Identifying emotional, behavioral, or attention-related concerns early lets young people receive support while they are still developing coping skills. Timely evaluations, treatment plans, and monitoring can help with school performance, emotional regulation, peer relationships, and self-confidence.
Crisis often develops when symptoms go unrecognized or untreated. Consistent care — therapy, medication management, lifestyle guidance, and ongoing monitoring — helps stabilize symptoms before they escalate, and gives you tools for regulating emotions and spotting early warning signs.
Mental health challenges create tension, miscommunication, and emotional strain within families. Through therapy, psychoeducation, and supportive guidance, families learn to understand one another’s needs, reduce conflict, and build healthier communication. When one person receives proper care, the whole household benefits.
Strong relationships rely on emotional stability, communication skills, and self-awareness. Treatment helps people manage triggers, improve emotional regulation, set healthy boundaries, and build confidence — which makes relationships with partners, friends, coworkers, and family members more supportive and balanced.
Questions about working with us
Yes — all visits are held by secure video with Dr. Dorsey, and we serve clients across Illinois. You must be physically located in Illinois at the time of your appointment, since that is where your provider is licensed. All you need is a private space, a device with a camera, and a reliable internet connection.
We accept Aetna Better Health, Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Commercial, BCBS Community, Cigna / Evernorth, Curative Health Plan, Humana, Medicaid (Impact), Medicare, Meridian, Molina, Optum / UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Pathways Behavioral Health
Wellcare, and Youth Care Health Plan. Coverage varies by plan, so confirm outpatient mental-health benefits with your insurer or our office before your first visit.
Your first visit is a comprehensive evaluation. You will talk through what brought you in, your medical and mental health history, current symptoms, and your goals. Dr. Dorsey then explains her impressions, answers questions, and agrees on a treatment plan with you — therapy, medication management, or both. The visit ends with clear next steps, not a stack of homework.
A short, no-pressure introductory call to determine whether our services fit your unique needs. It is the right first step if you are comparing providers, have insurance or scheduling questions, or are not sure which service to book.
Click any Book Appointment button on this site — it opens our secure booking form in a new tab — or call (630) 528-1427 during office hours. Prefer to type? Send us a message and we will follow up.
Yes. Care spans the lifespan — children, adolescents, adults, and families — including ADHD evaluation, individual therapy, family therapy, and couples therapy. If you are unsure which service fits, start with a discovery call.
Yes. Your health information is protected under HIPAA and handled according to our Privacy Policy. During telehealth visits, choose a private space where others cannot overhear; we will do the same on our end.
Questions about treatment
The initial visit reviews medications you have taken in the past, what you take now, side effects, precautions, and any special considerations — then decides on options that fit your needs. Follow-up visits evaluate doses and symptom management, make adjustments, review side effects, answer questions, and order laboratory tests when appropriate.
There is no one answer — plans are individual. Some people use medication for a defined period while building skills in therapy; others benefit from longer-term support. Decisions are made together and revisited at every follow-up, so your plan always reflects how you are actually doing.
Yes, and for many conditions that combination is a first-line approach. Therapy builds skills and insight while medication reduces symptoms enough to use them. Your evaluation determines what fits your situation, and follow-up visits keep the balance right as you progress.
Ready to take the first step?
Booking takes a few minutes, and your first visit is a conversation — not a commitment to a lifetime of treatment.